Richard Thompson's Meltdown

Rufus Wainwright performs on stage in 'A Celebration Of Kate McGarrigle' as part of Richard Thompson's Meltdown at the Royal Festival Hall
Photograph: Robin Little/Getty

Paolo Nutini performs as part of Richard Thompson's Meltdown Photograph: Katherine Rose

Richard Thompson in the 'Cabaret of Souls' at the opening night of the Meltdown festival, which he curated
Photograph: Alex Sturrock

Betty Lavette performs on stage as part of Richard Thompson's Meltdown at The Purcell Room, South Bank Centre Photograph: Roberta Parkin/Getty

Emmylou Harris and Martha Wainwright with her nine month old baby, backstage at Meltdown before performing at 'A Celebration of Kate McGarrigle' Photograph: Sophia Evans

Fiona McBain of Ollabelle performs on stage as part of Richard Thompson's Meltdown at The Purcell Room, South Bank Centre Photograph: Roberta Parkin/Getty

Harry Shearer (l) performs in Richard Thompson's 'Cabaret of Souls' at the Meltdown Festival, Southbank, London
Photograph: Tom Watkins/Rex

Judith Owen performs on stage in 'Cabaret Of Souls' as part of the Meltdown Festival at the Royal Festival Hall
Photograph: Barney Britton/Getty

Neil Tennant performs in 'A Celebration of Kate McGarrigle', the singer/songwriter and mother of Rufus Wainwright who died of cancer still in her sixties in January 2010, as part of Richard Thompson's Meltdown
Photograph: Sophia Evans

Krystle Warren performs on stage as part of Richard Thompson's Meltdown at The Purcell Room, South Bank Centre Photograph: Roberta Parkin/Getty

Paolo Nutini performs as part of Richard Thompson's Meltdown Photograph: Katherine Rose

Nick Cave performs on stage in 'A Celebration Of Kate McGarrigle' as part of Richard Thompson's Meltdown at the Royal Festival Hall
Photograph: Robin Little/Getty

Richard Thompson and Paolo Nutini backstage after Nutini's performance at Richard Thomspon's Meltdown Festival Photograph: Katherine Rose

Rufus Wainwright performs with Teddy Thompson and Emmylou Harris in 'A Celebration of Kate McGarrigle' at Richard Thompson's Meltdown
Photograph: Sophia Evans

Steven 'Seasick Steve' Wold performs on stage as part of Richard Thompson's Meltdown at the Royal Festival Hall Photograph: Barney Britton/Getty

Teddy Thompson performs in 'A Celebration Of Kate McGarrigle' at Meltdown
Photograph: Sophia Evans

Paolo Nutini performs as part of Richard Thompson's Meltdown Photograph: Katherine Rose